NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: Mackenzie River, Arctic Great Rivers Observatory, water quality, river chemistry, river discharge

Objective(s): To study the six largest rivers in the Arctic in order to understand the impact of climate change on these waterways.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5821. The Arctic Great Rivers Observatory project studies the six largest rivers in the Arctic: the Mackenzie and Yukon Rivers in North America, and the Ob', Yenisey, Lena, and Kolyma Rivers in Russia. The researchers are interested in understanding how climate change is impacting Arctic rivers. Measurements are taken of the concentration of naturally-occurring chemicals (like carbon and nitrogen) in order to determine whether the chemistry of these large Arctic rivers is changing. The researchers plan to collect water samples from the Mackenzie River near the Tsiigehtchic ferry crossing. Samples will be collected on six days per year, once every other month. Samples will be collected from boat or through the ice at the well-established site used by the Water Survey of Canada. Water will be collected by immersing a sample bottle directly underneath the water surface, or by using a bottle that is able to collect a water sample from a discrete depth. Samples will be filtered and frozen or refrigerated in plastic bottles. We will also measure water temperature and pH on each sampling trip. On each sampling day, less than 16 litres of water will be collected. We will not be collecting any fish or invertebrates. The researchers are happy to present results to community members in Tsiigehtchic, through community presentations, presentations to school kids, or via any other venue. The results of our research will also be made available on the project website (www.arcticgreatrivers.org). The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: January 01 - December 31, 2024